Atletico Madrid moved just two points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 1-0 win over Getafe in what was an ill-tempered affair in Madrid this evening.
The only goal of the match came late in the first period, when Mario Mandzukic dispatched from close range.
The home side finished with 10 men, meanwhile, after Alexis was given his marching orders for an off-the-ball elbow on Mandzukic early in the second 45 minutes.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two capital rivals.
Match statistics
GETAFE
Shots: 11
On target: 4
Possession: 39%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 17
ATLETICO
Shots: 12
On target: 7
Possession: 61%
Corners: 8
Fouls: 11
Was the result fair?
In truth, this was not a pretty match. The statistics suggest that there were a number of clear chances this evening, but that was not really the case, with the majority of attempts coming from distance. Atletico certainly enjoyed the better of the first period and deserved to enter the break with a one-goal lead.
However, the visitors never really pushed on in the second half. When Getafe were reduced to 10 men, they came alive in the final third, but failed to really create enough clear opportunities. Overall, Atletico just about deserved to claim all the points, but it is a match that will unfortunately be remembered for the wrong reasons.
Getafe's performance
Getafe goalkeeper Vicente Guaita made some smart saves in the first period this evening, but he had a bit of a horror in the latter stages of the half. Antoine Griezmann's effort from just inside the box was fairly tame, but the stopper could only palm straight into the path of Mandzukic, who opened Atletico's tally after 40 minutes. The contact from Guaita needed to be stronger and away from goal, rather than straight into the danger area, where a number of players were lurking.
The fact that the goal proved to be the winner will be even tougher for the home side to take. Strangely, they had their best period of the match when they were reduced to 10 men, but the majority of their attempts failed to test Miguel Moya in the Atletico goal. Their performance was actually quite strong, but a number of off-the-ball incidents harmed what could have been a good night for the club.
Atletico's performance
It was a performance that Atletico were used to producing last season. The champions struggled to create openings for long periods of the contest, but Mandzukic's first-half goal proved enough to claim all the points. That was so often the case last season due to their strong defensive unit, which was also terrific this evening.
The second half was a slight non-event in terms of chances created, with the focus on clashes between both sets of players. Atletico deserve credit for remaining calm during what was an ill-tempered affair, but they were almost made to pay for not putting the game beyond Getafe with a second goal. It was far from a convincing performance from the visitors, but they are now just two points off the top of the table.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Diego Godin: Once again, the Atletico centre-back was exceptional this evening. On form, there are few better defenders in world football and Godin produced a performance of the highest order in the capital. When his side were under siege in the latter stages, it was the centre-back that so often made first contact. Atletico will never score as many goals as the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, but there is a reason why they had the best defence in the league last season.
Biggest gaffe
In truth, this is not a difficult decision. Quite what went through the head of Getafe defender Alexis in the early stages of the second period only he will know. The Spaniard lost out in a challenge with Mandzukic, but instead of attempting to regain the ball, he threw his arm into the face of the Croatian.
It was certainly the correct decision from the referee to issue a red card, with Alexis's fist seemingly closed when he made contact. Juan Rodriguez was also seen to stand on the foot of Mandzukic moments after the incident in another cowardly act from the home side.
Referee performance
Well, it was an eventful night for referee Mario Melero. The Spaniard did not issue a single booking in the first period, but got his yellow card out on six occasions in the second 45 minutes, in addition to sending Alexis from the field. The decision to reduce Getafe to 10 men was the correct one, but, as mentioned, he might have also handed Rodriguez his marching orders. It was not an easy match to referee due to the intensity and while Melero struggled at times, the official did fairly well under the circumstances.
What next?
Getafe: The capital outfit make the trip to Deportivo La Coruna in the league on Friday.
Atletico: Atletico return to the Vicente Calderon next weekend with a home match against struggling Cordoba.
Matt Law
